Organization and reorganization of human societies · Roman, Han, Persian, Maurya & Gupta...

600 BCE

to

600 CE

PERIOD 2

ORGANIZATION &

REORGANIZATION OF

HUMAN SOCIETIES

People begin to identify themselves with others that live by

their similar religious “code.”

Hebrew scriptures united dispersed Jews

Hindu caste system

Greek mythology Roman mythology

Spread of polytheism from ancient river valley civilizations

early European polytheism

Early monotheism (Judaism) Christianity

Then spread to Rome and beyond…

Bloodletting – Olmec Maya, is there a connection?

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Universal “truths” emerge and spread

Ashoka promotes Buddhist teachings

What did this do for the Maurya dynasty?

Han Dynasty implements Confucian teachings

Leads to what in Han politics & culture…

Daoism influences art, poetry & medicine

Missionaries, merchants & Constantine spread Christianity

Greco-Roman philosophy & science emphasize the use of logic

and reasoning in solving problems

Don’t forget about Hellenistic combo of Greek, Persian,

Egyptian, Indian

Did this lead to more philosophical & scientific

understanding or advancements in other civilizations?

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Buddhists & Christians have monasteries and encourage

conversions of others to their belief systems

Confucianism emphasizes fil ial piety

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Outside of core areas, ancestor veneration (worship) continued

China, Chavin/Andean Mountains

Science, Art , Literature & Architecture becomes more distinctive

and reflects developed cultures :

Greek- comedy & tragedy, philosophy, science based on nature

Roman- arches, domes, paved roads, aqueducts

Olmec- heads & Maya- pyramids

Maurya & Gupta- Hindu & Buddhist texts

Key states & empires impose political control on smaller,

competitive areas:

Persian Empire

Qin & Han China

Maurya & Gupta India

Phoenician colonies

Greek city-states

Roman Empire

Olmec

Maya City States Tikal & Teotihuacan

Chavin (Andean)

STATES AND EMPIRES DEVELOP

PERSIAN

EMPIRE

PHOENICIAN

COLONIES

QIN & HAN CHINA

MAURYA & GUPTA INDIA

GREEK CITY STATES

ROMAN EMPIRE - ROADS

TIKAL & TEOTIHUACAN/MAYA CITY STATES

ANDEAN CHAVIN

To organize the people in the empires, these areas created

Centralized governments

Elaborate legal systems & bureaucracies

Example: Chinese “Son of Heaven” & Civil Service Exam system

Military power was utilized through

Diplomacy

Development of supply lines

Building defensive walls and roads

Using conquered peoples as military officers & soldiers

Trade & Economy was integrated by

Maintaining roads

Creating a common currency

IMPERIAL ADMINISTRATION

Cities such as Chang’an and Rome were centers of trade, public gatherings, religious rituals, and political administration .

Society was based on hierarchies (slaves through elites) that ensured supplies of food

Patriarchy dominated gender roles & family life (big surprise, huh?)

Ex. Paterfamilias in Rome, Confucius’ 5 relationships

STATES & EMPIRES

Roman, Han, Persian, Maurya & Gupta Empires all fell during

this period. Why?

The elites controlled too much wealth & wanted more,

therefore:

Environmental damage (ex. soil erosion)

Social tensions

Economic difficulties

Borders became too vast and were prone to invasions (Huns in

India, Germanic tribes)

FALL OF EMPIRES

Land & Water trade routes develop in the Eastern Hemisphere:

Silk Roads

Mediterranean sea lanes

Trans-Saharan caravan routes

Indian Ocean sea lanes

TRADE ROUTES EMERGE

Religious & cultural

traditions transformed

as they spread

Christianity

Hinduism

Buddhism

Diseases spread

along the trade

routes & weaken

empires (Rome,

China)

New technology allows long distance transport

Horse saddles & stirrups

Hybrid camels

Lateen sails

Dhow ships

New crops (rice & cotton) spread from South Asia to the

Middle East which led to new farming and irrigation

techniques

TRADE ROUTE FEATURES